HISTORY OF VERMONT. 41 D 



be clear of ice, and lay siege to Quebec, the 

 capital of Canada. General Amherst, who was 

 commander in chief, was to proceed with au 

 army of regular troops, and provincials, amount- 

 ing to twelve thousand ; and attempt the reduc- 

 tion of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and 

 thence proceed through lake Champlain and the 

 river Sorel, to the assistance of Wolfe. At the 

 same time brigadier general Prideaux with a 

 third body, reinlbrced by the Indians under the 

 influence and command of sir William Johnson, 

 was to invest the French fort at Niagara, arid 

 endeavor to reduce that important fortress. It 

 was concluded, that while all these forces were 

 making their attacks in different directions, they 

 would all serve to assist each other ; and at the 

 same time to divide the forces, and embarrass 

 the councils of the enemy. 



The plan itself was marked with the energy 

 and boldness of the minister's genius. The 

 naviiration of the river St. Lawrence had ever 

 been viewed as verv difficult and dana'erous for 

 a fleet. The city of Quebec w^as strongly forti- 

 fied by nature and art, formidable on account of 

 the number and bravery of its inhabitants, and 

 in a situation in which it could not be much in- 

 jured by a fleet, or approached but by a strong 

 army by land. The marquis de Montcalm was 

 a general of much courage, activity, and expe- 

 rience ; already famous for his exploits, and 

 success against the English. This officer had 

 taken his situation between Quebec and Mon- 

 treal, with an army of ten thou:iand men, con- 

 sisting of regular troops, and well disciplined 

 militia, reinforced by a larg-e number of armed 



